To help answer the many inquiries we get onShipping to the United States from Canada, we have updated our blog on this issue. Although the USA and Canada remain one of world's largest trading partners, there are border issues to consider before sending your parcel.
In this blog, we cover three main points to consider before shipping your Canadian parcel to the USA:
- What documentation is required of Canadian shippers sending to the USA
- How the value of the shipment effects American custom clearance processes
- Shipping options to the USA from Canada (including jet, of course!)
1. Required documentation for parcels to the USA:
While US customs Clearance for parcels is streamlined for Canadian parcels to the USA, there are few important points to keep in mind.
USMCA/ CUSMA (new NAFTA) provisions
All parcel shipments to the USA from Canada must be accompanied by an invoice for customs clearance.
Customs clearance is the umbrella term for the various stages of getting your items across the American border. It can involve US Customs and Border Protection but also "other government agencies" such as the Food and Drug Administration, Fish and Wildlife, etc.
The most important part of Customs clearance is ensuring that your shipment is accompanied by the correct paperwork (this is true for all international courier shipments!).
The basics elements of an invoice for customs include:
- Date of shipment
- Name, address & telephone number of shipper
- Name, address & telephone number of consignee
- Detailed description of item(s) being sent
- Value of the item(s)
Note: When shipping from Canada to the USA via Canada Post, a postal customs form (CN22) must be completed. This can now be done easily online.
Other documents may be required when shipping parcels to the USA from Canada:
Is a CERS/ B-13 needed when shipping to the USA?
A Canadian export declaration is not required when shipping parcels to the USA from Canada.
Prior Notice for shipping food items to the USA:
When sending foodstuffs to the USA, you must first register with the United States Food and Drug Administration. All foodstuffs sent to the USA must include a “Prior Notice” authorization number.
Commonly referred as the “PN Number," this number must be included on the invoicealong with a copy of the confirmation (which can be obtained from the FDA website).
Certificate of Origin for Items to enter duty free under NAFTA rules
For high value shipments that were manufactured in Canada or Mexico, a NAFTA certificate of origin must be included if you wish for the items to be cleared duty free.
Shipping to a Trade Show in New York, Las Vegas and USA
Many Canadian companies exhibit at trade shows in New York, Orlando, Las Vegas and across the USA. If you wish to send Trade Show related items to the USA, you must include a Customs Form 3325.
Paperwork for “Other Government Agencies”
There are over 40 US government departments that have unique requirements necessary for your goods to clear customs. The most common of the “other government agencies” involved in clearance of your goods include:
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Fish and Wildlife
2. HOW DOES THE VALUE OF YOUR PARCEL EFFECT THE CLEARANCE IN THE USA?
Customs entries can be broadly defined in 3 categories:
Shipments sent from Canada to the USA Valued Under $800:
Most shipments valued under $800 can be easily cleared duty free.* The entry is referred to as a “Section 321.” Have this $800 threshold is a great benefit to Canadian parcel shippers to the USA.
Note: There are many categories of items that cannot be cleared using a section 321. These include alcohol, food, and drugs. There is a pending new "section 321 type 86" entry that will enable more categories of goods to clear under section 321.
Over $800 but less than $2,500: Informal Entry
High volume parcel importers to the USA can manage shipments under $2,500 with little cost to the consignee. If duty fees do apply, most consignees are charged a fee of around $10 plus the applicable duty.
Over $2,500: Formal Entry
Formal Entries are much more complex and demanding. Many importers prefer to have such shipments cleared by their designated customs broker.
Note: When shipping to the USA from Canada, many shipments are subject to approval of other government agencies and - regardless of value - require a formal entry. For food items to the USA, please see note above regarding "prior notice requirements."
3. Carrier options for shipping parcels to the USA from Canada:
The main options for sending parcels to the US from Canada include Canada Post (least expensive for small items), Fedex and UPS (Good ground service but expensive express) and Jet Worldwide (economy express parcel shipping to the USA and special services).
As Canadian shippers increasingly rely on our industry leading blog, our team likewise presents unbiased advice to further our mission of connecting people, parcels and businesses around the world.
Sending with Canada Post to the USA:
Lowest cost option for small “packets” to the USA. The service is by far the best value but tracking and customer support can be difficult. Canada Post becomes less cost effective as shipments get heavier than around 3 kg.
Get a comparison quote for economy express shipping to the US.
Canada Post shipments are delivered by the US Postal Service. Customer service support is limited to on-line tracking only.
FedEx and UPS Delivery from Canada to the USA:
No other private parcel carriers can compare to FedEx and UPS for delivery to the USA.
The most common option for shipping parcels from Canada to the USA is via FedEx and UPS Ground Service.
FedEx and UPS offer cost effective ground delivery to the USA for delivery within 6 days.
For most shipments valued under $800 to the USA from Canada, ground service includes clearance (see note above on valuation). Ground service is especially cost effective for heavier parcels to the USA.
Purolator Delivery to the USA from Canada:
Purolator does not have a major presence in the USA and resells the services of other carriers for their deliveries to the USA.
Note: Purolator offers parcel delivery to Canada for large e-commerce and industrial shippers in the USA. They have advanced programs for "north bound shipments." Jet can help American shippers arrange for delivery across Canada for US origin shipments.
Jet Worldwide Canada
Jet Worldwide offers an alternative solutions via partner carriers and regional partners.
- Jet Worldwide is a trusted brand that has been providing international shipping solutions for over 40 years.
- Jet Worldwide provides options for shipping between Canada and the USA_for parcels, pallets and online orders.
- Jet Worldwide offers transparency and world class logistics support.
Getting quote for shipping between USA and Canada.
et Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between the USA and Canada for parcels pallets, and online orders.
